Mastermind
Writing Competitions
Browse current and past seasons. Each competition features a single creative writing prompt responded to within a 40-day window.
Current Season
Mastermind -- Heroes vs. Legends
Day 20 of 40
Write A Fictional Short Story Exploring What it Means to be a "Hero" and What is Means to be a "Legend"
Using your collective experience, knowledge, and wisdom, write a fictional short story carefully exploring what it means to be a "Hero" and what it means to be a "Legend." Make the distinction between the two titles clear, but do not be too rigid as there should also be similarities. Your story must make clear which title you think is most well-received and memorable.
No AI tools permitted. Your response must be entirely human-written. The use of generative AI (e.g. ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude) is strictly forbidden and will result in disqualification.
Past Seasons
Completed2026Mastermind Season 14
Write a short story, from the perspective of an extraterrestrial, depicting the uninhabitability of the tidal forces on Earth shortly after the Moon formed.
View Exemplar
Completed2026
Completed2026Season 12
Write a short story about a reincarnated character who simultaneously experiences a significant moment in their current and past life.
View Exemplar
Completed2025Season 11
Choose one prompt: write a story about a hero who turns evil, or a villain who turns to the light.
View ExemplarCompleted2025Completed2024Season 9
Write a persuasive speech negotiating with the Galactic Council to prevent intergalactic war over technological inequality.
View ExemplarCompleted2024Season 8
Write a short story vividly describing a month-long lucid dream that lasts only one night in the real world.
View ExemplarCompleted2024Season 7
Write a classified document from the far-future perspective justifying a device that predicts events before 2500.
View Exemplar